Field
notes
Field practitioner papers and operational observations on high-power CW laser ablation coating removal, by Petr Yurchenko — Director, Laser Blasting Tennessee LLC.
Field practitioner papers drawn from multi-year commercial CW LACR operations. Complementary to laboratory research — not a substitute for it.
Thermal Behaviour and Substrate Response During High-Power CW Laser Ablation on Structural Steel
Field-measured thermal characterisation of high-power continuous wave laser ablation coating removal on structural steel. A two-phase thermal model is proposed and validated: Phase 1 (active coating removal, 160–230°C with 70°C edge-to-centre differential on hollow sections) and Phase 2 (post-removal bare metal with correct technique, 70–90°C, dissipating to ambient within seconds).
Field Safety Observations in High-Power CW Laser Ablation Coating Removal for Infrastructure
Six field safety observations with limited coverage in published CW LACR practitioner literature: paint film delamination and ignition, paint color and pigment fire hazard, adhesive residue explosive vaporization, zinc chloride volatility on galvanized coastal steel, dead rust thermal insulation, and wet surface micro-droplet ejection.
Surface Condition and Coating Readiness Following High-Power CW Laser Ablation Coating Removal
Independent third-party surface profile data: mean post-LACR profile 74.9µm (ASTM D4417, n=30) — equivalent to commercial blast (SSPC-SP6). Chloride contamination 1.2–3µg/cm² against a <5µg/cm² threshold — PASS. Multiple independent programs including Virginia DOT, US Navy, and FHWA confirm coating adhesion equivalent to or superior to abrasive blasted surfaces.
LSRF-1.0 — Laser Surface Remediation Framework: Practitioner Protocol for High-Power CW Infrastructure LACR
A complete practitioner protocol synthesising multi-year field operational experience with high-power CW laser ablation on infrastructure. Covers thermal management (SSRT), six substrate-specific safety hazards, surface quality requirements, and coating system selection across ISO 12944 corrosivity categories C3–C5. Developed to fill the gap left by AMPP SP21511-1-2024 which covers pulsed systems only.